2001 FORD TAURUS check engine light

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Washer fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford specification . Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle's paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
Maintenance and care
170

²Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol and
other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
²Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
²Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeUse of Recycled Engine Coolantsection).
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the ªcold fullº level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To avoid personal injury, make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The cooling system is
under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the
cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration see
Checking Engine Coolant section). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34ÉF/±36ÉC), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Maintenance and care
174

Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
²Headlamps
Maintenance and care
203

A
Accessory delay ..........................63
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................104, 106, 110
and child safety seats ............107
description ......................106, 110
disposal ....................................112
driver air bag ..........105, 109, 111
indicator light ...................13, 108
operation .................105, 109, 111
passenger air bag ...105, 109, 111
side air bag ..............................110
Air cleaner filter .......................222
Air conditioning ..........................19
automatic temperature
control system ..........................22
Air filter, cabin ..........................180
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................171
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ..............................127±128
Anti-theft system ........................73
arming the system ....................73
disarming a triggered system ..75
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........30
Automatic transaxle .................132
driving with .............................134
fluid, adding ............................178
fluid, checking ........................178
fluid, refill capacities ..............223
fluid, specification ..................226
Auxiliary power point .................29
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........224B
Battery .......................................185
acid, treating emergencies .....185
charging system
warning light .............................13
jumping a disabled battery ....156
maintenance-free ....................185
replacement, specifications ...222
servicing ..................................185
Belt minder ...............................100
Brakes ........................................127
anti-lock ...........................127±128
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 128
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....169
fluid, refill capacities ..............223
fluid, specifications .........224, 226
lubricant specifications ..224, 226
parking ....................................129
pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................51
shift interlock ..........................132
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....223
Cargo area shade ........................68
Cargo cover .................................67
Cargo net .....................................67
CD changer .................................47
Cellular telephone
Wireless Interface Module .......60
Certification Label ....................228
Child safety restraints ..............113
child safety belts ....................113
Index
243

Child safety seats ......................114
attaching with tether straps ..118
in front seat ............................115
in rear seat ......................115, 118
LATCH .....................................120
Cleaning your vehicle ...............216
engine compartment ..............218
exterior ............................216±217
exterior lamps .........................218
instrument cluster lens ..........220
instrument panel ....................220
interior .............................220±221
mirrors .....................................217
plastic parts ............................217
safety belts ..............................221
washing ....................................216
waxing .....................................216
wheels ......................................217
windows ..................................220
wiper blades ............................218
woodtone trim ........................220
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............19
Clock ................................33, 40, 46
Console ........................................65
Controls
power seat .................................86
Coolant
checking and adding ..............171
refill capacities ................175, 223
specifications ..................224, 226
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................53
Customer Assistance ................144
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................237
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................230Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................236
Getting roadside assistance ...144
Getting the service
you need .................................230
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................240
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................233
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................236
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................17
Defrost
rear window ..............................18
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .178
engine oil .................................166
Doors
door ajar warning .......................9
lubricant specifications ..........224
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................138
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................156
Emission control system ..........202
Engine ........................................226
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................218
coolant .....................................171
Index
244

idle speed control ...................185
lubrication
specifications ..................224, 226
refill capacities ........................223
service points ..................164±165
starting after a collision .........145
Engine block heater .................125
Engine oil ..................................166
checking and adding ..............166
dipstick ....................................166
filter, specifications ........168, 222
recommendations ...................168
refill capacities ........................223
specifications ..................224, 226
Exhaust fumes ..........................126
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....192
Floor mats ...................................65
Fluid capacities .........................223
Fuel ............................................192
calculating fuel economy .......199
cap .......................................9, 195
capacity ...................................223
choosing the right fuel ...........196
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................202
detergent in fuel .....................198
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................192, 195, 199
filter, specifications ........198, 222
fuel pump shut-off switch .....145
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........199
low fuel warning light ..............11
octane rating ...................196, 226
quality ......................................197
running out of fuel .................198safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................192
Fuses ..................................147±148
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ........9, 195
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................199
Gauges .........................................14
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................16
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................15
trip odometer ............................16
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................137
definition .................................137
driving with a heavy load ......137
location ....................................137
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................137
calculating ...............................137
definition .................................137
driving with a heavy load ......137
location ....................................137
H
Hazard flashers .........................145
Head restraints ...........................84
Headlamps ...................................17
aiming ......................................214
autolamp system .......................18
bulb specifications ..................213
daytime running lights .............17
flash to pass ..............................17
Index
245

high beam .............................8, 17
replacing bulbs .......................204
turning on and off ....................17
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................19
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................19
Hood ..........................................163
I
Ignition .................................52, 226
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................114
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................203
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................220
cluster ..................................8, 220
lighting up panel and interior .18
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................152
positioning ...............................152
storage .....................................152
Jump-starting your vehicle ......156
K
Keyless entry system .................76
autolock .....................................78
keypad .......................................76
locking and unlocking doors ....77
programming entry code .........76
Keys .................................79±80, 82
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........52L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................18
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................213
cargo lamps ...............................18
daytime running light ...............17
headlamps .................................17
headlamps, flash to pass ..........17
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps .....................58±59
replacing
bulbs ........203±204, 207±209, 211
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................56
Liftgate ..................................66, 71
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................13
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 128
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................12
cruise indicator .........................12
door ajar ......................................9
fuel cap light ...............................9
high beam ...................................8
low coolant ................................11
low fuel ......................................11
oil pressure ...............................13
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ..................10
speed control ............................56
traction control active ................8
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits .................................137
GAWR ......................................137
GVWR ......................................137
trailer towing ..........................137
Index
246

Locks
autolock .....................................78
childproof ..................................63
Lubricant specifications ...224, 226
Lumbar support, seats ...............87
M
Mirrors .........................................60
cleaning ...................................217
heated ........................................64
side view mirrors (power) .......64
Moon roof ....................................60
Motorcraft parts ................198, 222
O
Octane rating ............................196
Odometer .....................................16
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................166
Overdrive ...................................133
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................71
Parking brake ............................129
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....222
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................51
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................150
Power door locks ........................63
Power steering ..........................131
fluid, checking and adding ....176
fluid, refill capacity ................223
fluid, specifications .........224, 226R
Radio ............................................30
Rear window defroster ...............18
Relays ................................147, 152
Remote entry system ...........69, 71
illuminated entry ......................71
locking/unlocking doors ...........70
opening the trunk .....................71
panic alarm ...............................71
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................72
replacing the batteries .............73
Roof rack ...................................143
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............13, 89, 91±95, 97
Safety defects, reporting ..........242
Safety restraints ..............89, 91±98
belt minder .............................100
cleaning the safety
belts .................................104, 221
extension assembly ..................99
for adults .............................92±95
for children .....................112±113
lap belt ......................................97
warning light and chime .....9, 13,
100
Safety seats for children ..........114
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................89
Seats ............................................84
child safety seats ....................114
cleaning ...........................220±221
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..............................79±80, 82
Index
247